Need Mac Video Capture / Hardware Solutions

[kirkb]

I have a Macbook Pro Core2Duo with a bad screen that I am going to convert to a SageTV server to replace my aging Winblows server. I need some advice for capturing cable / sat channels.

So, I ordered an HDHomeRun for OTA and / or Clear QAM. My current TV provider is DTV. However, I am willing to go with DISH or COX cable if that provides a better solution for capturing SDTV or even HDTV cable channels.

Obviously, the HDHomeRun is NOT going to provide me with the full spectrum of channels. So, the question is, what is my best solution starting from scratch. This includes Cable/Sat Provider, Set Top Box and Capture device. With that said, I am not prepared to write a blank check.

On the windows side, I always felt I was chasing the wrong solution with so many variations of OS, Hardware, Drivers, Sage Versions, Capture Devices, Set Top boxes etc ... I'm hoping to find a proven / popular / supported combination on the MAC.

Thanks for any help with this. I'm excited about having a SageTV Mac server and look forward to a solution that will provide years of stability (I am an optimist).

On a side note, I've recently added a buffalo LinkStation NAS to my environment. I get around 8 Mb/s on a Gigabit Lan. What would the best use be for this in a Sage environment? Recording, Archiving, etc? I know its not the best NAS solution out there. However, I got it quite cheap. For testing purposes, I currently have two SDTV streams recording to it and it seems stable. I'm a bit concerned about using the MacBook Pros built in 2.5" Sata drive for recording. I'm not sure what will be better: internal, firewire, usb or nas drive.

Thanks again.

Kirk

[sandor]

Satellite gives you the R5000 mod or the HD-PVR

Cable's only real option is the HD-PVR


R5000 - http://www.nextcomwireless.com/
HD-PVR - http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html

[sandor]

Originally Posted by kirkb

On a side note, I've recently added a buffalo LinkStation NAS to my environment. I get around 8 Mb/s on a Gigabit Lan. What would the best use be for this in a Sage environment? Recording, Archiving, etc? I know its not the best NAS solution out there. However, I got it quite cheap. For testing purposes, I currently have two SDTV streams recording to it and it seems stable. I'm a bit concerned about using the MacBook Pros built in 2.5" Sata drive for recording. I'm not sure what will be better: internal, firewire, usb or nas drive.

Thanks again.

Kirk

8 Mb/s or 8 MB/s ?

figure that HDTV will run about 19 Mbps = 2.375 MB/s for a single stream.

you need a "stream" for every being recorded or being watched or being accessed for commercial skipping.

personally, with something with that low of throughput, i would just put "other" media on it (music, ripped DVDs, etc)

[kirkb]

Originally Posted by sandor

Satellite gives you the R5000 mod or the HD-PVR

Cable's only real option is the HD-PVR


R5000 - http://www.nextcomwireless.com/
HD-PVR - http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html

Do either of these support MAC?

[kirkb]

Originally Posted by sandor

8 Mb/s or 8 MB/s ?

Sorry 8 MB/s.

[sandor]

Originally Posted by kirkb

Do either of these support MAC?

good question....

http://www.steventoth.net/blog/produ...capture/about/

that looks interesting, don't know how to integrate it with sage though... hmmm

[kirkb]

Yah, pretty pricey too. I see from your sig, you are all OTA with HDHomeRun. Have you ever attempted cable or sat on the MAC? Has anyone?

I see from the SageTV Mac specs that there are some usb capture devices that are supported. however, i don't seen anywhere that supports devices like the IR Blaster. The capture cards do us no good if we cant tune to the correct channel.

Hmmm ....

[JCassey]

Hey Kirk.. I'm in the same type of situation.

I have been using SageTV with my pvr150 and a digital cable box for years now and have loved it. I'm finally getting to the point I'm sick of MS and want to go with a Mac. Been doing some research to see if it is feasible to do the same with a Mac.

Unfortunately I'm not seeing any information on how to get the Mac tuners to be able to tune the channels on the cable box. I don't need HD support per say, but I do regularly record channels in the upper ranges (200+) which I know you need the set top box for.

So has anyone found a way or had any success in using a Mac tv tuner that can control the cable box?

Any help or suggestions would be very appreciated!

Thanks,
Jason